CHATTER (DECEMBER 2016): Beguiling to enchant Kensington Market

Mirvish Village’s internationally-known comics and graphic novel retailer The Beguiling has already begun moving to its new location at 319 College St. Its sister store, Little Island Comics on Bathurst Street, will be closed. The store’s Peter Birkemoe says he expects to open the new location just before Christmas, and be fully operational by January.

It’s the second time the store has moved since it launched on Harbord Street in 1987, this time because of the impending Mirvish Village development, which will impact all retailers on Markham Street. Birkemoe says Kensington Market seemed the best spot for the store’s new location.

“We looked around the whole city, but this one seemed to fit a lot of the same customers that shop here,” he explained, adding that a lot of their clientele comes from the University of Toronto, so being closer to there will make a lot of sense. Initially the new store will have the same look and feel as its predecessor in Markham Village, but Birkemoe believes the market will have an influence on its final set up.

The store’s Facebook page notes that The Beguiling’s Boxing Week sale will proceed as usual at 601 Markham St., and pull-file customers will automatically transition to 319 College St. on Jan. 3. It will offer this service out of the Toronto Comic Arts Festival’s Page & Panel shop in the Toronto Reference Library, which will also be home to much of Little Island’s all ages material.